Machine tool



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MACHINE TOOL Filed March 9, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 SPEED T1 T2 73 FEED Mo To@ Fig. `Z8

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50 Claims. (Cl. 90-21) The present invention relates to improvements in machine tools, and more specifically to a class of machineswhich include a movable support mounted on ways to impart relative feeding and returny movements to the work and operating tools.

The invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a milling machine which comprises a rotary milling cutter and `a movable work support or table driven from a two-speed reversible electric motor through connections which include cooperating feed screw and nut driving elements and slow feed and quick traverse clutch connections.

It is oneobject of the present invention to proi5 vide in a machine of this general description. a

' novel and improved take-up device having a yielding take-upaction to maintain a tight working engagement between the feed screw and nut elements which is particularly well adapted to insure the accurate positioning of the table at all times under varying strains during its travel in either direction without vat the same time causing excessive frictional wear or binding of the parts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel andr improved means for `controlling the operation of the slow feed and quick traverse clutch connections above referred to, during the automatic operation of the machine, constructed and arranged to delay the shiftingof the slow feed and quick traverse clutch connections to quick traverse position upon shifting from a slow feed of the table in one direction to a quick traverse rate of movement in the opposite direction, until after the motor and work support driven thereby have been brought to a substantial stop.

It is another object `of the invention to provide means for easing off the take-up device which is i arranged automatically to control the degree of tightness between the feed screw and'nut elements of the table drive for different operating conditions ofthe machine, particularly during the manual or quick traverse operation of the table. Other objects `of the invention relate to the provision of novel and improvedcontrol means for actuating the several cooperating devices comprislng particularly the drive for the movable support to secure a.v more efcient operatonkof the support for bothmanualand power operation. Q

'l With theseand other objects in view, as may ,hereinafter appeanone featureof the present invention consists in [the provision in the/table drive of a novel and improved take-up device for '55 maintaining a tight operating engagement between the feed screw and nut elements to insure Aan accurate and even movement of the table regardless of the force exerted on the table in either direction by the operation of the cutter. This device comprises a second non-rotatable nut threaded to the feed screw anda take-up nut internally threaded to corresponding left and right hand threaded portions on the feed nuts, so that rotational movement of the take-up nut will tend to move the auxiliary nut with relation to the fixed nut to secure a tight operating fit between the feed screw and nut elements. The take-up nut is connected through a worm and gear connection to a rotatable take-up member which is actuated by a torsional spring to provide a yielding take-up action at all times to maintain a tight operating t between the feed screw and nut elements. With this construction and arrangement of the parts, an irreversible take-up action is provided, so that the strain exerted on the table in either direction by the engagement ofthe rotating cutter with the work, is taken up directly against the fixed nut.

In accordance with the invention there is alsor provided in the presentconstruction, mechanism which is arranged upon movement of the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to neutral orquick traverse position to ease off the take-up device. With the construction and arrangement herein disclosed, the ,movementof the clutch to neutral position serves to partially ease oif the take-up device for the manual operation of the `table by the operator, while atthe same time permitting an accurate adjustment of thev table and work supported thereon. Upon movement of the clutch to quick traverse position, the take-up device is entirely eased off so that the strain and Wear upon the driving connections for quick traverse operation is reduced to a minimum.

There is also provided with the present construction, hand feed driving connections for the table includinga hand feed control member or plug which is arranged normally to hold the hand feed connectionsout of operation, andtacts when rendered operative to move the slow feed and quick'traverse clutch from slow feed to neutral position,V and to permit Vthe engagement of the hand feed. The continued movement of the clutch vto quick traverse position, operates positively to disconnect the hand feed.

In accordance with certain features of the present invention, the operation of the machine 'is controlled by means ,ofa number of electrically `operated devices which are constructed and larranged to provide a particularly emcient and versatile control of the several cooperating mechanisms of the machine for either automatic or manual operation. In addition to the reversible two-speed electric motor above mentioned for driving the table, there is provided a reversible motor for driving the spindle, an electromagnet in the form of a solenoid which operates when energized to move the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to quick traverse position, and a number of switch connections including a plugging switch which is arranged to plug, or electrically reverse, the motor to bring it quickly to rest for either stopping or reversing the direction of table drive.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, electrical connections have been provided which are controlled through the plugging switch, and are arranged when the controls are set to secure a reversal of the direction of drive with a simultaneous shift of the clutch to quick traverse position, to delay the operation of the clutch until the motor has been brought to a stop. 'I'he mode of operation of the table driving motor and clutch in connection with the reversal at a quick traverse rate as above described, is of particular importance where the cutter is fed against a shoulder, and it is then required to retract the Work away from the cutter at a quick traverse rate. Under these conditions it has been found that if the clutch is shifted to quick traverse position before the motor is completely stopped, theincreased speed of the table will tend to cause the cutter to jump into the work. Furthermore, the shifting of the clutch while the table is feeding under load, subjects the clutch teeth to excessive wear.

With the construction and mode of operation of the machine herein set forth, the operation of the table and cutter spindle is controlled by means of a simple arrangement of switch control buttons which are supported on a control post adjacent the table. These buttons are arranged in two sets to permit the control of the table either manually or by the operation of dogs supported on the table. The electrical connections are so arranged that -the direction and rate of movement of the table may be obtained simply by pressing a. single button to secure the designated direction and rate of feed of the table.

Another feature of the invention consists in the specific arrangement of the control post to permit the movement of the post and the control buttons supported thereon out of the path of the dogs when it is desired to control the operation of the table entirely by hand.

The several features of the invention consist also in the devices, combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, which together with the advantages to be obtained thereby will be readily understood by one skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a milling machine embodying in a preferred form the several features of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, to illustrate particularly the automatic controls for the work support; Fig. 3 is a plan view of substantially the parts shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 to illustrate particularly the control post and switches mounted therein for controlling the operation of the work support; Fig. 5 is a. sectional pian view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic view taken substantially on the line 6-8 of Fig. 5, to illustrate certain of the electrical switch connections in the control post; Fig. 7 is a view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig, 5 illustrating particularly the cooperating electrical contacts of the switches in the control post; Fig. 8 is a detail view in rear elevation illustrating particularly the adjustable table dogs and the mercury switch controlled thereby which may be utilized as hereinafter described either to shift the motor speed from slow to fast and vice versa, or to control the direction -of rotation of the cutter spindle; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a view in front elevation partly in section to illustrate particularly the driving connections for the table, and the control mechanism for simultaneously operating the quick traverse clutch and for easing oil? the take-up device;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of certain portions of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10 to illustrate particularly the take-up device; Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 1l; Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken on the line I3-i3 of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken on the line Il-II of Fig. 10 to illustrate particularly the hand feed control and a portion of the driving connections to the table; Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view taken on the line I5-I5 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a detail sectional vieW taken substantially on the line l6-I6 of Fig. 10, to illustrate particularly a portion of the driving mechanism for the work support; Figs. 17, 18 and 19 are somewhat diagrammatic detail views of the table, and certain of the table dogs arranged to illustrate the set-up of the machine for milling operations on three di'erent types of work; Figs. 20, 21 and 22 are diagrams -indicating the course of table movement with the set-up shown respectively in Figs. 17, 18 and 19; Figs. 23 and 24 are detail views respectively in plan and in front elevation of the table and cutter elements illustrating particularly the setting of the machine with two oppositely faced cutters for operation during the travel of the work table in each direction; Fig. 25 is a diagram showing the operation of the table as illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24 taken in connection with the diagrammatic view Fig. 27 Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections for controlling the several cooperating mechanisms oi the machine; Fig. 27 is an explanatory diagrammatic view of the connections shown in Fig. 26; Fig. 28 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections illustrating certain modifications of the diagram shown in Figs. 26 and 27, to permit the use of a single speed table motor and a table controlled reversing switch for the spindle motor for the performance of milling operations during the travel of the table in both directions; and Fig. 29 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections illustrating a second modication of the diagram shown in Figs. 26 and 27, in which the table motor plugging switch is utilized to control the direction of drive of the spindle motor.

The machine illustrated in the drawings as embodying in a preferred form the several features of the present invention, comprises a manufacturing type milling machine in which the Work is supported on a work support or table movable in a horizontal plane with relation to a vertically adjustable rotary miliing cutter. The table is power driven by means of a reversible twospeed electric motor, and intervening driving con- Til means of a solenoid ||2, asshown in Fig. 10, which is provided with an armature ||4 con-l nections which include a rotatable feed screw mounted on the table, a. cooperating stationary nut, a slow traverse gear train, a quick traverse gear train, and a clutch connection movable from a neutral position to engage one or the other of said gear trains to drive the table alternatively at a feeding or quick traverse rate.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a work supporting table is indicated at 40 mounted to slide on ways 42 formed on the base 44 of the machine. A rotary milling cutter spindle 46 is supported above the table in a casing 48 which is supported for vertical adjustment on the machine column 50. With the machine herein disclosed, the cutter spindle is driven by means of a separate motor 52 through connections generally indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The work table 40 is driven from a reversible two-speed electric motor 56 through direct connections which include slow feed and quick traverse gear trains and clutch connections for alternatively connecting one or the other of these trains to drive the table. As best shown in Figs. 10, 14 and 16, there is fast on the armature shaft 58 of the motor a gear 60 which meshes with a gear 62 secured to a connecting drive shaft 64. The shaft 84 is connected to drive the -main drive shaft S6 of the machine at a slow traverse rate through gear connections comprising intermeshing take-off gears 'l0 and 12 secured respectively to the shaft 64 and to an idler shaft 14. A second gear 16 on the idler shaft 14 meshes with a gear 'i9 on a shaft 80 which carries a worm 82 meshing with a Worm gear 84 loosely sleeved to turn on the drive shaft 68. The shaft 66 may be driven at a quick traverse rate from the shaft 64 through gear connections comprising a gear 86 secured to the shaft 64 which is arranged to mesh with a sleeve gear 88 mounted to turn on a short pivot shaft 90. A bevel gear 92 formed integrally with the sleeve gear 88 meshes with a corresponding bevel gear 94 loosely sleeved to turn on the drive shaft 66.

A slow speed and quick traverse clutch member 96 is rigidly secured to the driving shaft 66 between the slow feed worm 84 and the quick traverse bevel gear 94, and is provided at one end with a jaw toothed clutch 98 arranged to engage with a corresponding clutch member formed on the face of the worm gear 84, and at its other end is provided with a jaw toothed clutch face arranged to engage with a corresponding jaw toothed clutch member formed on the adjacent face of the bevel gear 94. Movement of the slow feed and quick traverse clutch 96 to engage alternatively with the slow feed driving worm gear 84 or with the quick traverse bevel gear 84 is effected by an endwise movement of the driving shaft 66 controlled by means of a shifting rod |02 which passes through an axial bore in the drive shaft 66. A nut |04 anda co1- lar |06 are secured to the shaft to engage with opposite ends of the drive shaft 66 to cause the drive shaft 66 to move axially with the shifting rod |02, while permitting the drive shaft to rotate with relation thereto. A heavy compression spring |08 coiled about the shifting rod |02 between a bearing plate |0 secured to the machine frame and the collar|08 on the rod |02 tends normally to hold the shaft 68 and clutch 96 to the left as viewed in Figs. 10 and 14 with the clutch face 98 in engagement with the slow feed worm gear 84. Movement of the drive shaft 66 and clutch 96 in an opposite direction to engage the quick traverse bevel gear 94 is effected by nected through a short link I6 toene' arrnof an actuating bell-crank lever ||8 which'isv piv` oted at on the machine frame and hasfa pin' and slot connection indicated at `|22fwith the end of the control rod |02.

The tabie 4o is driven from the drive shaft si;- through driving connections which comprise arotatable feed screw |24 supported at each end in bearings in the table, and a stationary feedv nut |26 (Fig. 11) which is rigidly supported against rotational or endwise movement inthe machine frame so that rotational movements'of the feed screw will cause corresponding endwise movements to be imparted to the feed screw and table 40. For rotating the feed screw |24 there each end of the driving nut |28. For rotating thev driving nut |28 and feed screw |24 to impart the required feeding movements to the table from the drive shaft 68, an external gear |38 formed on the driving nut |28`is arranged t0 mesh with the idler gear |38, which in turn meshes with the driving gear |40 o'n the drive shaft 66.

In order to secure a tight operating engagement between the feed screw |24 and thel stationary nut |26, and thus prevent anypossible backlash or chatter in the table drive, there is provided with the present construction an additional nut |42 which is screw-threaded to the feed screw |24 and is keyed against rotation therewith on the machine frame. The nut |42 is moved axially with relation to the feed screw and to the fixed nut |26 by means of a take-up nut |44 provided with internal left and right screw threads which mesh with correspondingly threaded portions of the stationary nut |26 and additional nut |42.

The angular position of the take-up nut |44 to tighten or loosen the nut |42 and 'feed screw with relation to the fixed nut |26 is controlled, as best shown in Figs. l1 and 12, by means of a rock shaft |46 which is provided with a worm |48 arranged to mesh with a corresponding worm gear |50 formed on the take-up nut |44.

A torsional spring |52 connected at one end to a collar |54 on one end of the rock shaft |46 and at its other end secured to a fixed plug |56 tends to rotate the rock shaft and take-up nut |44 connected thereto to impartA a relative lengthwise tensioning strain to thenuts |26 and |42 to maintain a tight operating engagement between the feed screw and nut elements. In

order to permit an adjustment of the take-up' light spring to secure a relatively heavyk ten` sioning strain on the nuts, and at the same-time provides an irreversible drive to positively prevent any easing off action of the nuts against the pressure of the spring. With this construction it will be seen that the entire strain upon the connections due to the operation of the cutter against the work is taken up against the fixed nut |26 to maintain a positive control of the position of the table under all conditions during feeding movements of the table in either direction.

With the present construction there is also provided mechanism which operates simultaneously with the movement of the slow feed and quick traverse clutch 96 to neutral or quick traverse position to ease off the take-up device so that a minimum of friction is provided in the connections to facilitate a manual or quick traverse operation of the table. This mechanism comprises a lever arm |58 which is mounted to turn on the rock shaft |46 and carries a pawl |60 arranged to engage with a ratchet |62 secured to the rock shaft |46. A compression spring |64 seated in the recess which carries the pawl tends to maintain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet |62. The lever arm |58 is connected by means of a link |66 to one arm of the actuating bell-crank ||8 so that the movement of the bell-crank ||8 and control rod 02 to move the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to neutral or to quick traverse position will cause the pawi to engage with and rotate the ratchet |62 and rock shaft |46 against the pressure of the take-up spring |52 to ease off the take-up device. For the retracted position of the lever arm |56 and pawl |60, as illustrated in Fig. 13, which corresponds to the slow feed position of the slow feed and quick traverse clutch 96, the pawl |60 is held out of contact with the ratchet by engagement of the pawl |60 with a cam surface |68 formed on a stationary collar |10 surrounding the rock shaft |46 adjacent the ratchet |62, so that the rock shaft |40,is free to turn under the pressure of the take-up spring |52 to secure the required tensioning strain on the feed screw and nut elements. With this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that a relatively small movement of the lever arm |58 and the pawl |60 is secured by the movement of the slow feed andv quick traverse clutch 96 to neutral position, and a relatively greater movement is secured by the continued movement of the clutch 96 to quick traverse position so that the take-up device is only partially eased off when the clutch is moved to neutral position for the hand feed, and is wholly eased off only when the clutch is set for quick traverse operation of the table. This arrangement of the ease-off mechanism enables the operator to position the table by hand with the extreme accuracy required, while at the same time the frictional resistance in the connections is suilciently reduced to permit a relatively easy manipulation of the table.

The illustrated machine is provided with hand feed operating connections together with a control mechanism therefor which is arranged normally to maintain the hand feed out of operation, and acts when rendered operative to permit the engagement of the hand feed and simultaneously to move the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to neutral position. The hand feed operating connections. as best shown in Figs. 14 and 15, comprise a forwardly extending shaft |12 which is mounted for axial and rotational movement in a bearing |14. At its forward end the shaft is provided with a squared end |16 to receive a manually operable crank handle of ordinary description, and at its rear end carries a gear |18 arranged to mesh with a corresponding crown gear on the drive shaft 66. It will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 14 that the shaft |12 may be moved rearwardly to bring the gear |18 into operative engagement with the crown gear |80 only for a lengthwise position of the drive shaft 66 which corresponds to the neutral or intermediate position of the slow feed or quick traverse clutch 96.

The mechanism for controlling the operation of the hand feed comprises a plug |82 journalled in the casing |84 axially in alignment with the drive shaft 66. At its inner end the plug is provided with a bearing surface arranged to engage with the end of the shifting rod 02, and with an offset cam |86 arranged to engage with the face of the gear |18 on the inner end of the hand feed shaft |12. For controlling the operation of the plug |82 to impart lengthwise and rotational movements thereto, a hand lever |88 is secured to the side of the plug |82 and extends outwardly through a cam slot |90 in the casing |84. With the plug in the normal inoperative position shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the block is withdrawn out of engagement with the shifting rod |02, and the cam |86 is positioned to lock the hand feed shaft |12 and gear |18 in a retracted position out of engagement with the crown gear |80. When it is desired to throw the hand feed into operation, the control lever |88 is moved downwardly to the dotted position shown in Fig. 15 to rotate the plug, and at the same time to cause it to be advanced through the vengagement of the control lever |88 with the cam slot |90 above described. This movement of the plug acts to move the came |86 to permit a forward movement of the hand feed shaft |12, and simultaneously moves the shifting rod |02, the drive shaft 66 and clutch 96 to the right, as shown in Fig. 14 against the pressure of the spring |08 to throw the clutch 96 into neutral, and to position the crown gear 80 for engagement with the gear |18 on the hand feed shaft |12.

The hand feed connections above described are constructed and arranged so that the operator can operate the machine at quick traverse, if so .desired, without returning the hand feed con nections to inoperative position. `When the solenoid is energized bythe operator to move the control rod |02 and clutch 96 against the pressure of its spring |06 to quick traverse position, the corresponding movement of the crown gear |80 to the right, as shown in Fig. 14, will disengage the crown gear from the gear |18 on the hand feed shaft |12, thus disconnecting the hand feed without altering its position. When the solenoid is again de-energized to arrest further quick traverse operation of the table, the control shaft |02 and clutch 96 will move to the left under the pressure of the spring |08 to its neutral position where it will be engaged by the plug |82, bringing the crown gear |80 again into mesh with the gear |18 on a hand feed shaft |12.

In carrying out the present invention, a number of electrically operated devices have been provided for controlling the operation of the machine, and more particularly of the work supporting table, which embody a number of new and useful features peculiarly applicable to milling and similar machines provided with a movable work supporting table of the general type herein disclosed. As above pointed out, there is embodied in the present construction a reversible two-speed motor which is directly connected to drive the table in either directionA at either of Atwo predeterminedrates. This arrangement of the=table drive permits the use of a highly eflicient and versatilefelectrical control mechanism which may be operated auto` matically by table dogs, or manually to secure a satisfactory `and extremely accurate operation of the table for a wide variety of operating conditions.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, electrical connections are provided which are controlled automatically during the operation of the table toI vary the motor speed, so that the feeding rate may be automatically adjusted to varying conditions in the making of a out without the necessity of stopping the machine or of shifting clutch connections under load. In order to effect the required adjustment ofthe motor to the required speed, a mercury switch is provided, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and in the electrical diagram Fig. 26, which com-4 prises a mercury tube |9| partially `filled with mercury supported in a clip or bracket |92 secured to a rock shaft |93 supported toturn in a bearingk |94 on the rear side of the machine frame. An input wire 2 and high speed and low speed connections 23 and 24, are connected respectively to the middle and two ends of the tube lili, so that a Contact will be established from the line 2 alternatively to thehigh speed connection 23 or the low speed connection 24 through the mercury as the tube is tipped in either direction bythe rocking of the shaft |93. The angular position of the rock shaft |93 to determine the setting of the mercury switch is controlled by means of dogs A and B which are adjustably supported in a T-shaped slot |95 formed in ythe rear side of the table, and are arranged to engage respectively with correspondingly cammed surfaces on the upper ends of two vertically movable plungers |96 and |91 which have formed thereon racks arranged to mesh with opposite sides of a pinion |98 mounted on the rock shaft |93. The cam portions of the plungers |96 and |91 and of the dogs A and B,are offset with relation to each other, so that the plunger |96 when raised will be positioned only in the path of the dog A, and the plunger |91 similarly will be positioned only in the path of the dog B. The manner in which the dogs will operate to control the position of the mercury switch under a variety of different operating conditions, will be hereinafter described in connection with Figs. 17 to 25 inclusive of the drawings, illustrating the set-up of the automatic control dogs for the milling of different varieties of work. l

The electrical connections herein disclosed, and as will hereinafter be more fully described in connection with the wiring diagram Fig. 26, are arranged simultaneously to shiftV the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to quick traversepositon, and to connect the table `driving motor for high speed operation, so that a maximum speed quick traverse is always obtained regardless of the setting of the mercury switch for power feed operation. v

The electrical connections herein disclosed are arranged for automatic operation from the table or for manual control by -means of 'a simple arrangement of switch control buttons which comprise left and right feed'buttons and left and right quick traverse buttons. With the arrange.- ment of the electrical connections hereinafter to be described in connection with the electrical diagram Fig. 26, the rate of travel of the table may be varied to effecteither slow feedor quicktraverse movement yoi' the table at any point in the table jtravel in eitherdirection', or the direction of travelof the table may be reversedfateither a slow feed'or quick'tr'aversevrate byk pressingthe designated button for 'establishing the required' as best shown in Figs; 1, 4 and 5, in a control post |99 which is located adjacent one sideiof the table. These buttons are arrangedl in two series, and comprise buttons 200 mounted on the table side of the control post tocooperate with corresponding dogs on the table rto control the direction and rate of feed ofthe table, and a'second series of manual control buttons 20 I' mounted on the opposite side of the controlfpost tozpermit the convenient operation of the controls by hand.

There are four automatic control buttons which are mounted in vertical alignment and comprise as marked on the drawings, left and right feed buttons, and left and right fast traversebuttons. The dogs which it is proposed to use for controlling the operation of the rautomatic switch control buttons 200, are shown in Figs.` 2l and 3, and `comprise preferably a feed right dog 202,'

the 'feed left dogs 203 and 2||, a quick traverse right dog 204, and a quick traverse left dog 205. Each of these dogs, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is pivotally supported on a bracket 206, and is held in operative position byv means of aspring 201 coiled about its pivot. i The brackets are adjustably supported lengthwise ofthe ltable in a T-shaped slot 208. There are also provided two quick traverse reversing dogs indicated respectively at 209 and 2| 0 which are rigidly formed on brackets arranged to be mounted in the T- shaped slot 208.

For each of the automatic control buttons 200,

there is a corresponding manual control button.

20| mounted on the opposite or front side of the control post |90. The switch connections operated by the respective buttons comprise four switches which may be operated by the pressing of either of the corresponding automatic or manual control buttons. Each of these switches, as best shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, comprises two stationary double contact members 2|2-and 2|4 through which are journaled a. central plunger or shaft 2|6 which hasmounted on one end the automatic control button' 200, and at its other end is provided with a groove 2|8. The position of the plunger 2|6 is controlled from the corresponding manual control button 20| by means of an 'actuating lever 220 pivoted at 222 on the control post and provided at one end with a fork engaging in the groove 2|8, and at its other end with a bearing surface to engage with the manual control button 20|. Intermediate its length the plungerfor shaft 2|6 is provided'with a reduced portion 224 on which are mounted two double contact arms 226 and 228 which are arranged to engage respectively with theicontact members 2| 2L and 2|4, and are held yieldingly in an extended positionfagainst the ends of the reduced portion 224 ofthe plungerbymeans of a small' compression spring 230. The Iplunger 2|6 is forced yieldingly to the rear to maintain both control buttons in their extended positions,v with the contact arm 228lin openposition, and with the contact arm226 in closed-position by means of a compression spring 232`coi1edabout the plunger 2|6 between a collar 284 on thev plunger and the stationary contact member 2|2. With this construction and arrangement of the parts, the pressing of one of the automatic buttons 200 or its corresponding manual control button 20|, will operate to move the corresponding plunger 2|6 against the pressure of its spring 232 to dlsengage the contact arm 226 and at the same time to engage the contact arm 228 with the stationary contact member 2|4.

To insure the stopping of the table at the limit of its movement in either direction, and thus to prevent possible damage to the parts, two additional automatic control stop buttons 286 are provided mounted on a stationary portion of the machine frame, and are arranged for engagement with corresponding dogs 231 mounted in the slot 208 on the table.

In order to permit the operator readily to disengage the automatic controls so that the table may be operated entirely by manipulation of the hand switch buttons 20|, the control post |99 is provided on its under side with a cylindrical post 238 which is arranged to turn in a bearing 240, so that the control post may be readily turned to move the automatic control buttons 200 out of the path of their respective dogs. The control post |99 is normally heid in opera.- tive position with the automatic control buttons 200 in the path of the table dogs, by means of a spring-pressed plunger 242 which is journalled in a vertical recess 244 formed in the bearing support 240, and is provided at its upper end with a tapered pin 246 which is arranged to engage with a corresponding recess 248 formed in the under side of the post 238. The plunger 242 is held yieldingly in engaging position by means of a compression spring 252 coiled about the plunger between a shoulder formed on the recess and a shoulder on the plunger. A knurled head 254 provided on the outer or lower end of the plunger permits convenient operation by the operator. It will be noted, however, that the movement of the control post |99 out of position does not affect the operation of the safety stop buttons 236 which, as above stated, are supported on a fixed portion of the machine frame.

In order to assist in bringing the driving motor to an immediate stop, and thus accurately to determine the limits of movement of the table in either direction, there is included ln the electrical connections herein disclosed, a plugging switch for plugging or electrically reversing the motor rto a stop which is rendered operative upon actuation of one of the stop buttons, or upon actuation of the proper slow feed or quick traverse button to reverse the direction of table travel. A specific form of mechanism for controlling the operation of the plugging switch as set forth in the following description of the electrical diagrams Figs. 26 to 29 inclusive, is fully illustrated and described in the copending application of the present applicants, Serial No. 714,808, filed March 9, 1934 of even date herewith, but may be briefly described as follows in connection with Fig. 27 of the drawings:-The plugging switch contact members 255 are supported on a plunger 256 supported for axial movement in a bore formed in the casing of a reversible oil pump 251 which is driven directly from the armature shaft of the table driving motor. A centering spring 258 tends normally to maintain the switch contact members 255 in a neutral intermediate position.

A sleeve piston -is mounted on the lower end of the plunger 256 and is arranged to cooperate with a system of check valves and conduits leadlng from each side of the pump gears SO that the rotation of the table motor and pump gears driven thereby in one direction to drive the table to the right will move the plunger 256 and contact arms 255 downwardly to energize the relay coil CRR through the contacts 2-6 and similarly the rotation of the table motor and pump gears driven thereby in an opposite direction to drive the table to the left will move the plunger 266 and contact arms 255 upwardly to energize the relay coil CRL through the contacts 2-58.

As the motor and pump gears are brought to a stop at the end of the table travel, the plunger 256 and contact arms 255 are returned again to their neutral position under the inuence of the centering spring 258.

It has been found under certain operating conditions, as for instance, where in feeding against a shoulder it is desired to reverse the direction of table movement at a quick traverse rate by the actuation of the designated quick traverse button, that the solenoid I I2 lf immediately energized, will act to shift the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to quick traverse position prior to the complete stopping of the motor. T'he resulting increase in speed of table travel due to the shifting of the clutch during the continued forward rotation of the motor, tends to cause the cutter to jump into the work, interfering seriously with the accurate timing of the reversal in table drive, and also tending to place an excessive load on the cutter. In order to avoid this difficulty, one feature of the present invention contemplates the provision of electrical connections controlled by the plugging switch above referred to, which act to delay the operation of the solenoid ||2 to move the clutch to quick traverse position until after the reversal of the motor has taken place, so that all danger of placing an excessive load on the motor is eliminated, and the shifting of the clutch during the operation of the table under load with the consequent wear on the clutch connections is avoided.

'I'he construction and operation of the electrical connections for controlling the operation of the table and cutter spindles respectively through their driving motors, will be briefly described in connection with the electrical Wiring diagram Fig. 26 and the explanatory diagrams 21 to 29 inclusive, so far as necessary to make clear the connection therewith of the several new and improved features of construction and operation of the machine above set forth.

The table driving motor 56 and the spindle driving motor 52 are driven from a three phase power line designated as L1, L2 and L5. The table motor is controlled by means of a reversing switch having two exciting relays L and R.

The main switch for the table motor is supported on a panel indicated in dotted lines at 256 in Fig. 26, and comprises two sets of contacts which are controlled by the relay coils R and L respectively to connect the motor and table for right or left hand operation. A high speed and low speed switch for the table motor 56 is also mounted on the panel 259, and comprises two sets of contacts controlled respectively by the relay coils HS and LS for high speed or low speed operation of the table motor.

On another panel indicated at 260 in dotted lines, are carried the main switch contacts for the spindle motor 52 controlled by means of two relay coils SF and SR for opposite directions of rotation of the motor and spindle driven thereby.

There are also provided on a panel 26| designated in dotted lines in Fig. 26, a number of secondary relay switches, which are arranged to control the operation of the table and spindle switches above described together with the solenoid H2 which operates the slow feed and quick traverse clutch 96. These secondary relays comprise the secondary coils -LR and RR controlled respectively by the left and right feed buttons, the coils TL and TR controlled respectively by the left and right quick traverse buttons, a. relay coll RC which controls the operation of the slow feed and quick traverse solenoid H2, and also has connections which are arranged under certain operating conditions to control the operation of the high speed table motor and the spindie motor switches.

Two additional secondary relay coils CRR and CRL, also supported on the panel 261, are provided in the circuit controlled by the plugging switch designated at 255, and operate in connection therewith to apply a'braking torque for plugging themotor to rest upon stopping or reversing the drive of the table, and also to delay the operation of the solenoid H2 to shift the clutch to quickl traverse position upon reversal at a quick traverse rate.

Assuming a rest position oi the machine, and that it is desired to start the machine feeding to the left, pressing the Feed Left button energizes the LR coil. LR contacts ii- 3 now close to form a holding circuit. LR contacts Zi-i9 close energizing the main contacting coil L to start the table motor, and LR contacts t--ii also close to energize either the SF' or SR 'coil to start the spindle motor. The pressing of the Feed Right button with the machine at rest will operate similarly to start the table feeding to the right. At this point it may be noted that When'the table moves to the left, the plugging switch contacts 2--i'i open and the contacts Q td close, due to the closing ci plugging switch L contacts 2-59 and the energizing of plugging switch contacting coil CRL. Similarly, when the table moves to the right, the plugging switch contacts Z-i open and -i close, due to the closing of plugging switch R contacts 2-Eii- Assuming that the table is feeding left with the coils LR, L and SF energized, and the plugging switch relay contacts Z-i on CRR and 2-i8 on CRL closed, and that it is desired to stop the machine by pressing the Stop Left button, the operation of the electrical connections is as :Eollows:-The pressing oi? the Stop Left button de-energizes the coil LR, causing the LR contact --iS to open and disengage the main contactor L. Simultaneously, the LR contact it-ZZ closes and establishes a circuit to the main contactor coil R through CRL contacts --it to electrically reverse or plug the table motor. The LR contacts t-Zi also open, but the spindle switch is held closed by means of the SF interlock 26-2i and the L or R interlock 2-26, since the L and R switch contacts are arranged so that one closes before the other opens. When the table motor is practically stopped, the plugging switch relay CRL is deenergized and thecontact 2|8 opened to de-energize the main contactor coil R, thus disconnecting the table motor. Simultaneously, the interlock 2-26 opens to disconnect the spindle.

Assuming that itis desired to operate the table at a quick traverse rate to the left from a rest position, the pressing of the Fast Left button will energize the TL coil, causing the TL contacts 3--5 to close and energize the coil LR which acts as above described to start the table motor. The TL contacts I620 and 2li-2| also close and energize the coil RC through'the CRR contacts 2-I6. The RC contacts 2-3I now close to energize the solenoid H2, shifting the clutch to quick traverse position. At the same time RC contacts 25--6 open to disconnect the spindle circuit, and also to disconnect the low speed coil LS. RC contact 2--23 also closes to energize the high speed contactor HS regardless of the position of the mercury switch above described. The closing of the quick traverse Fast Right" button will operate similarly to start the machine in operation at a quick traverse rate to the right from rest position.

If it is now desired to stop the machine operating to the left at a quick traverse rate, the pressing of the Stop Left button will operate as followsz--At this time the coils LR, TL, L, RC

and the solenoid are energized. The pressing of the Stop Left button de-energlzes LR and TL. 'Ihe opening of LR in conjunction with the plugging switch, plugs the table motor to rest as above described. At the same time the opening of the TL contacts 20-2! deenergizes the coil RC. RC contacts 25--8 now close, but the spindle is prevented from starting while the motor is being plugged to rest, since LR has opened and the spindle interlocks 26-2? are open. The

machine may be stopped similarly during the quick traverse operation of the table to the right by the pressing of the Stop Right button.

Assuming now that the table is operating at a quick traverse rate to the left, and that it is desired to shift to a slow feed rate in the same direction, the Feed Left button is pressed, causing the contacts 5-5 to open, thus de-energizing the TL coil. The TL contacts Ed-ii now open rie-energizing the RC coil. The RC contacts 2-ii open, de-energizing the clutch shifting solenoid which permits the return oi' the clutch to its feed position. Simultaneously, RC contacts d-i close, energizing the spindle contactor SF or SR through the IR interlock. The RC contacts 2-23 also open, so that if the mercury switch is in its slow speed position, the HS coil is deenergized and the LS coil is energized to close the slow feed contacts for the motor. The shift from quick traverse right to slow feed in the same direction is similarly accomplished by the pressing of the Feed Right button. In order to shift from slow feed to quick traverse in the same direction, it is necessary only to press the corresponding quick traverse button.

The operation of the connections is a reversal of the procedure outlined in connection with the shift from quick traverse to feed, and is thought to be suiilciently clear without further explanation.

The connections herein described are also adapted to permit a shift from slow feed in one direction to a quick traverse movement of the table in the opposite direction. If it be assumed that the table is feeding to the left, the pressing of the Fast Right button will operate to reverse the direction of movement of the table at a quick traverse rate, as follows:-The contactors LR, L, LS and SF may be assumed to be closed as well as the plugging switch relay contacts 2-I6 and 2-I8. The pressing of the Fast Right button energizes coil TR. TR contacts lll-H close, energizing the coil RR. TR contacts l1-20 and 2li- 2l close, but the RC coil is not at this time energized to shift the clutch, because of the fact that thc contacts 2|1 are still open. RR contacts 24 open, de-energizing LR which opens the main contactor L. RR contacts |4| 0 also close. forming a holding circuit through LR contacts 2|4 which also close. RR contacts 2-22 energize the main contactor R, electrically reversing the motor. After the motor has praetically stopped, the CRL contacts 2|1 close, energizing the coil RC to energize the solenoid, disconnecting the spindle, and shifting the driving motor speed from low speed to high speed as above described. 'Ihe shift from a slow feed of the table to the right to a quick traverse left may be similarly accomplished by pressing the Fast Left button.

Assuming that it is desired to shift from a slow feed left to a slow feed right, the Feed Right button is pressed to reverse the direction of operation of the table. The operation of the connections to effect this shift are substantially those described in connection with the shift from a slow feed to a quick traverse in the opposite direction, except that 'IL is not energized, so that the RC coil does not pick up when the plugging switch operates.

A shift from rapid traverse in one direction to a rapid traverse in the other direction, is accomplished by pressing the proper quick traverse button. Assuming a rapid traverse operation of the table to the left with LR, TL, L, RC, HS and the solenoid energized, the pressing of the Fast Right button will now act to energize TR. The contacts 2li- 2| on 'IR close, thus holding RC in through its interlock 2-20. TR contact |0|| also closes, energizing RR. RR contact 2--5 opens, de-energizing the coil LR, and RR contacts |I|0 close, forming a holding circuit. RR contacts 2--22 also close toenergize the coil R, so that the main contactors R close after the LR contacts 2--I9 have opened to release L. It will be noted that the operation of the electrical connections as above described, permit the reversal of the table at a quick traverse rate without releasing the solenoid, so that there is no tendency for the clutch to shift to its slow feed position at this time.

The manner in which the control dogs are set up for milling operations on different classes of work. and the mode of operation of the machine in connection therewith. is illustrated in Figs. 17 to inclusive, for several classes of milling operation which a machine of this description is frequently called upon to perform.

Fig. 11 together with the accompanying diagram Fig. 20, illustrates one class of milling operations in which the cutter performs a milling operation along a plane surface and against a shoulder, and is then withdrawn to its original inoperative position. In this case the cutter operates under a relatively light load during the first portion of the cut and under a relatively heavy load in milling the shoulder. In the performance of this operation, the quick traverse right button is pushed manually to bring the table rapidly into operating position. Just prior to the engagement of the work by the cutter, the slow feed right button is pressed by its dog 202 to shift the slow feed and quick traverse clutch to slow feed position, and to start the spindle motor. It Will be assumed that at this time the table motor is operating at high speed due to the setting of the mercury switch, so that the cut along the plane surface will be at a relatively rapid feed rate. Before the cutter reaches the shoulder, the mercury switch is shifted to slow speed position to further retard the rate of advance of the table by the engagement of the table dog B with the corresponding plunger |91 for controlling the switch. As the cutter is finally fed into depth with relation to the shoulder, the direction of table drive is reversed at a quick traverse rate through the pressing of the quick traverse left button by its dog 2|0. As above pointed out, this operation serves to shift the clutch to quick traverse position. to reverse the table driving motor at high speed, and to disconnect the spindle motor, so that the table is returned at a quick traverse rate to its original position where it is again stopped by the pressing of the Stop Left button by its corresponding dog 231. During this return movement of the table to the left, the mercury switch is again shifted to its high speed position preparatory for the next cutting operation, by the engagement of the dog A with the corresponding plunger |96 on the switch.

Fig. 18 together with the accompanying diagram Fig. 21 illustrates a class of milling operation in which the load on the cutter varies during the milling operation in a somewhat different manner. In this case the cutter is face milling a surface of variable width in which a relatively heavy load is placed on the cutter during the first portion of the cut, and a relatively light load on the latter portion of the cut. As in the first case, the table is moved into operating position by the pressing of the manual quick traverse right button, and is reduced to a slow feed rate prior to the engagement of the cutter with the work through the pressing of the slow feed right button by its corresponding dog 202. It will be assumed that at this time the mercury switch is set at its slow speed position, so that the table motor is automatically reduced to its slow speed setting upon the actuation of the slow feed right button. As the milling operation proceeds and the surface being cut narrows reducing the load on the cutter, the dog A is arranged to engage with its corresponding plunger |96 to shift the mercury switch to high speed position, and thus to increase the feeding rate of the table. After the milling operation is completed, the table is returned to its original position by the engagement of the quick traverse left button by its corresponding dog 2| 0, so that the direction of rotation of the motor is reversed, the clutch is shifted to quick traverse position, and the spindle motor is stopped to prevent possible scratching of the work. As the table again reaches its extreme left position, it is stopped by the engagement of the Stop Left button by its dog 231. rDuring the return movement of the table to starting position, the mercury switch is again set in its slow speed position by the engagement of the dog B with the corresponding plunger |91 on the switch.

Fig. 19 together with the accompanying diagram Fig. 22 illustrates a class of milling operations in which a relatively heavy or roughing cut is made on a plane surface during the travel of the table in one direction, and a. relatively light nishing cut is made during the return movement of the table in the opposite direction. Assuming the table to be at its starting position at the extreme left for loading, the operator presses the quick traverse right button to bring the table rapidly into operating position. Just prior to the engagement of the work by the cutter, the slow feed right button is engaged by its dog 202 to shift the clutch to slow feed position and to start the spindle motor. Assuming that the mercury switch at this time is in its slow speed position, 

